U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), who recently offered two amendments to construct water storage projects in California during the U.S. House Appropriations Committee markup of the fiscal year 2021 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, chastised committee Democrats for defeating his proposals.
“House Democrats need to stop ignoring the science and common sense that tells us we should build more water storage in California,” Rep. Calvert said. “We know changes in our climate make long periods of drought more likely, making it even more critical to increase our storage of water during wet years.”
Rep. Calvert noted that the goal of both amendments was to provide his home state “with a safe, secure and affordable water supply that will be the backbone” for its future economic opportunities.
“Our successful water management depends on the execution of an all-of-the-above approach that includes conservation, recycling and storage,” said Rep. Calvert.
The two amendments offered by Rep. Calvert would have provided federal funds for the Shasta Dam and Reservoir Enlargement Project and would have removed “no funds” riders related to raising the Shasta Dam, according to a summary provided by Rep. Calvert’s office.
The second amendment would have stricken language in the appropriations bill that would prohibit the U.S. Department of the Interior from obligating funds to water storage projects recommended by the department until it had sent additional recommendations on water recycling and desalination to Congress, according to the summary.
“Despite a previous agreement to support all of these approaches, House Democrats have gone back on their word and have put roadblocks in place to stop federal funding for California water storage projects,” Rep. Calvert said. “Their obstruction impacts regular California water ratepayers and ignores the pressing need for more storage.”
The House Appropriations Committee on Monday approved the fiscal year 2021 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies bill on a vote of 30-21 to fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior programs, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other related agencies.